Is Trouba the new jersey of choice?

The departure of Alexander Burmistrov to the KHL is a problem for many Jets’ fans who purchased and own a Burmistrov Jets jersey.

The big question for many of those fans is: whose name and number do I now get on a Jets jersey?

My Alexander Burmistrov Jersey was a Christmas present in 2011. For the first few months of the team’s existence I was in Korea, teaching English.

It wasn’t even that I was a big fan of Burmistrov. Like many fans I just wanted to get one of the new teams jerseys, and to put a name and number on it.

Burmistrov seemed like the logical decision because he wore the number eight, my favourite number to wear when playing on a sports team.

This dates back to the early 80’s when I was a big fan of the Montreal Expos. My favourite player was Gary Cater and he wore number eight.

Carter died on February 16, 2012, the day before I arrived back from Korea. I was on the phone at the Vancouver airport when I found out. When I arrived for my first Jets game on February 17 against the Bruins, the first goal I saw scored was by Burmistrov.

While he never fully became my favourite player, I was still upset to see him bolt for the KHL over the summer.

My brother got a Scheifele jersey, even though he wasn’t yet a full member of the team, having been sent down early in the first season. His reasoning was that Scheifele was the first true Jet, being the club’s first draft pick after the move.

If Scheifele is the first true Jet, than Jacob Trouba is the second.

Trouba did more than impress in his NHL debut. He picked up a goal and an assist, to go along with his four blocked shots, and team-leading 25:02 in ice time.

He played with a bit of a mean streak as he tried to take out a few of the Oilers’ rising young stars, including Taylor Hall.

His first goal was a beauty as he read the play to intercept a cross ice pass before his knuckleball of a shot found the back of the net.

Most importantly Trouba was on the ice at the end of the game, as the Jets held onto a slim one goal lead with Edmonton pulling their goalie for the extra attacker.

His hard work won the battle for the puck behind the net.

Jacob Trouba, after one game in the NHL already looks like a keeper.

Looks like I know whose Jersey I’m going to get – #8 Jacob Trouba.

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Long time Jets' fan. Went to my first game in 1982 when everyone was talking about Dale Hawerchuk. Still can't believe the team is back. Go Jets Go!!!